Conservation laryngeal surgery is an increasingly available alternative for the treatment of laryngeal cancer. Understanding anatomy of laryngeal lymph drainage is essential for clinicians to diagnose, grade and surgically manage the laryngeal cancer. Although the lymphatic drainage of the larynx has been extensively studied, few studies revealed the relationship of the lymphatic drainage between various parts of the larynx. The distribution of lymphatic vessels in the inferior surface of the vocal cord also remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the communication of the lymphatic networks between the vocal cord, the supraglottic and subglottic parts of the larynx, paying special attention to the lymphatic drainage of the inferior surface of the vocal cord. Eighteen larynx specimens from 18 fresh fetal cadavers were manually injected with prassion blue solution into the mucosal or submucosal layer of the larynx in order to reveal the lymphatic vessels in the inner larynx. We found that a rich lymphatic network is present in the inferior surface of the vocal cord, and the lymphatic networks in the superior and inferior surfaces of the vocal cord appear as two different patterns. These findings provide an anatomical basis for the design of a partial or conservation laryngeal surgery, particularly when considering the precise resection margin.

This study demonstrates that the longitudinal pharyngeal and esophageal muscle fibers are continuous with each other and are integrated with fibrous and cartilaginous structures. Such anatomic integrity at the pharyngoesophageal junction is important for the function of the upper esophageal sphincter.

Background and Objectives: The underlying anatomical mechanism of the ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment (FIC) block for anaesthesia and analgesia in the lower limb has not been illuminated and numerous variations were attempted to achieve an optimal needle placement. This study aimed to define the fibrous configuration of the FIC. Methods: A total of 46 adult cadavers were studied using dissection, latex injection, epoxy sheet plastination and confocal microscopy. Results: (1) The fascia iliaca originated from the peripheral fascicular aponeurotic sheet of the iliopsoas. (2) The FIC was a funnel-shaped adipose space between the fascia iliaca and the epimysium of the iliopsoas, had a superior and an inferior opening and contained the femoral and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves but not obturator nerve. (3) The estimated volume of the FIC in the cadavers was about 23 mls, of which about one third was below the level of the anterior superior iliac spine. Conclusions: This study revealed that the fascia iliaca was aponeurotic and may be less permeable for the local anesthetics. Conclusions: The FIC contained only the femoral and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves and communicated with the extraperitoneal space and femoral triangle adipose space via its superior and inferior opening, respectively.

OBJECTIVEMeralgia paresthetica is commonly caused by mechanical entrapment of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). The entrapment often occurs at the site where the nerve exits the pelvis. Its optimal surgical management remains to be established, partly because the fine architecture of the fascial planes around the LFCN has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to define the fascial configuration around the LFCN at its pelvic exit.METHODSThirty-six cadavers (18 female, 18 male; age range 38–97 years) were used for dissection (57 sides of 30 cadavers) and sheet plastination and confocal microscopy (2 transverse and 4 sagittal sets of slices from 6 cadavers). Thirty-four healthy volunteers (19 female, 15 male; age range 20–62 years) were examined with ultrasonography.RESULTSThe LFCN exited the pelvis via a tendinous canal within the internal oblique–iliac fascia septum and then ran in an adipose compartment between the sartorius and iliolata ligaments inferior to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). The iliolata ligaments newly defined and termed in this study were 2–3 curtain strip–like structures which attached to the ASIS superiorly, were interwoven with the fascia lata inferomedially, and continued laterally as skin ligaments anchoring to the skin. Between the sartorius and tensor fasciae latae, the LFCN ran in a longitudinal ligamental canal bordered by the iliolata ligaments.CONCLUSIONSThis study demonstrated that 1) the pelvic exit of the LFCN is within the internal oblique aponeurosis and 2) the iliolata ligaments form the part of the fascia lata over the LFCN and upper sartorius. These results indicate that the internal oblique–iliac fascia septum and iliolata ligaments may make the LFCN susceptible to mechanical entrapment near the ASIS. To surgically decompress the LFCN, it may be necessary to incise the oblique aponeurosis and iliac fascia medial to the LFCN tendinous canal and to free the iliolata ligaments from the ASIS.

Cricopharyngeal bars are commonly seen on a barium swallow radiologic examination and represent the failure of the cricopharyngeus to relax. Traditionally, the bars have been considered as functional or physiologic protrusions. Recently, anatomical cricopharyngeal protrusion has been found in about 30% of cadavers of the elderly, suggesting that such a structural change may become a physical barrier that affects the normal deglutition in a living person. This suggests that such a radiographic finding should be carefully considered when interpreting radiologic and manometrical examinations and managing dysphagia of the elderly. However, the finding of the anatomical cricopharyngeal protrusion was based on the observation of cadavers of the elderly (mean age = 77 years). The aim of this study was to further investigate whether such an anatomical cricopharyngeal protrusion exists in cadavers of other ages. Using the dissection method, we examined 63 human cadavers that were divided into three age groups: young adult (6 females and 10 males, age = 16-24 years old), adult (8 females and 23 males, age = 25-64 years old), and early elderly (5 females and 11 males, age = 65-69 years old). We found that 57 of the 63 cadavers had a smooth mucosal surface on the posterior hypopharyngeal and upper esophageal wall. A slightly thickened posterior muscular wall was observed at the cricoid level in six cadavers (five from the adult group and one from the early elderly group), but its boundary was not clearly identified. Taking the previous reports together, our results suggest that an anatomical cricopharyngeal protrusion is closely associated with the aging process.